Month: July 2023

Three ways to get wisdom

July 29, 2023

The Book of Proverbs is full of practical wisdom. Proverbs 2:1-9 says…

1 My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. 9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.

This passage lists three ways to get wisdom.

1. Tune your ears (v2) – this means to tune your ears in to wisdom like we tune a radio to the station. I enjoy listening to the Bible, Christian audio books or sermons as I drive to and from work.

2. Ask for understanding (v3) – we can cry out to God and ask for understanding. James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom we can ask God who gives generally.

3. Search for them (v4) – this verse encourages us to search for wisdom with the intensity of looking for treasure. Wisdom is very valuable so it is worth it.

The results of getting wisdom is gaining knowledge of God, having common sense, understanding what is right and finding the right way to go.

These benefits of getting wisdom sound pretty good. Definitely worth the hard work of tuning, asking and searching for it.

Every tear gone

July 25, 2023

Here is a snippet from Our Daily Bread. For me it was too good not to share…

The book of Revelation describes Jesus, our Savior, as a “Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (5:6; see v. 12), His wounds still visible. Wounds earned through taking upon Himself the sin and despair of His people (1 Peter 2:24–25), so that they might have new life and hope.

And Revelation describes a future day when the Savior will “wipe every tear” from each of His children’s eyes (21:4). Jesus won’t minimize their pain, but truly see and care for each person’s unique grief—while inviting them into the new, healing realities of life in His kingdom, where there is “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (v. 4). Where healing water will flow “without cost from the spring of the water of life” (v. 6; see 22:2).

Because our Savior has carried our every grief, we can find rest and healing in His kingdom.

Temptations and God’s help

July 21, 2023

Temptations are just a part of life. Adam and Eve were tempted and sinned. Jesus was tempted and did not sin. Every person who has walked on this earth has been tempted too.

There are number of truths in the Bible about temptation.

1. God is not the source of temptation

James 1:13 says, “ And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

2. Our desires are the source of temptation

James 1:14 lets us know where temptation comes from. “ Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.”

3. God gives us strength to endure temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

4. God bless us when we endure temptation

James 1:12 says, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Temptation is a part of life we need to accept. The good news is that God promises to help us stand strong and overcome temptation. When we do, He promises to bless us.

God Bless,
Dave

Kings Park prayer

July 16, 2023

I had to go down to Perth this week to do some training for my role as Chaplain. As it was a few days training they booked me in to a hotel near Kings Park.

The great thing about it is that I worked opposite Kings Park for 11 years and every lunch time I would go on a prayer walk. It became a real place of spending time with God for me.

Last week I managed to do three prayer walks after my days of training. It was so nice to connect with God in a place where I have met with Him so many times in the past. It was really refreshing.

The picture above was taken at the top end of the park, it is the place where you over look the city and the river that runs through it. It is a great place to sit and just chill out for me.

How about you? Have you got a special spot where you can go and spend time with God? A place where you can go and relax with Him? Kings Park is definitely a special place for me.

Deep waters

July 14, 2023

Today’s Our Daily Bread was really good. Please enjoy…

Bible reading

Proverbs 20:4-5, 24-25

When Bill Pinkney sailed solo around the world in 1992—taking the hard route around the perilous Great Southern Capes—he did it for a higher purpose. His voyage was to inspire and educate children. That included students at his former inner-city Chicago elementary school. His goal? To show how far they could go by studying hard and making a commitment—the word he chose in naming his boat. When Bill takes schoolkids on the water in Commitment, he says, “They’ve got that tiller in their hand and they learn about control, self-control, they learn about teamwork . . . all the basics that one needs in life to be successful.”

Pinkney’s words paint a portrait of Solomon’s wisdom. “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5). He invited others to examine their life goals. Otherwise, “it is a trap,” said Solomon, “to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows” (v. 25).

In contrast, William Pinkney had a clear purpose that eventually inspired thirty thousand students across the United States to learn from his journey. He became the first African American inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame. “Kids were watching,” he said. With similar purpose, let’s set our course by the deep counsel of God’s instructions to us.

Reflect

In your life, what is the why for your work or ministry? What legacy do you hope to leave by what you accomplish?

Prayer

Inspire me, faithful God, to commit to working with a purpose that glorifies You. Amen.